Minister ensures environmentally friendly mining

Following a review of the environmental management and enforcement provisions of the Mining Act 1992, the Minister for Mineral Resources, Kerry Hickey today released a position paper outlining proposed amendments to the Act.

These are aimed at ensuring the Act is consistent with contemporary environmental standards, community expectations and recent developments in the legislative and regulatory framework.

"These proposed amendments will incorporate the principles of ecologically sustainable development in the Mining Act which the government is committed to" he said.

"This means all mining activities authorised under the Act will need to be consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development".

Mr Hickey said the Government was securing the future of mining in NSW by strengthening the environmental management provisions of the Mining Act.

"We are not imposing a greater administrative burden on the many companies who do the right thing. In fact, many of the changes will recognise in legislation the environmental management activities mining companies are already doing" said Mr Hickey.

"However, what these changes will do is strengthen the enforcement provisions, to better manage those companies who breach their environmental obligations".

For example, Government will be able to monitor the impacts of mining outside the mining title area and this will better protect our rivers and soils.

"These changes will be consistent with environmental management and enforcement provisions in legislation across NSW," said Mr Hickey.

The proposed changes will subject the Lightning Ridge opal mines to additional environmental management provisions for the first time.

"Opal miners have made great progress in managing the environmental impacts of their operations over the past few years" he added.

The Department of Primary Industries will work closely with land holders and opal miners to continue to improve the environmental management of these areas.

You can download a copy of the position paper and interested people can make a submission prior to the closing date of 9 September, 2005.

Media contact: Jenny Ward 9228 3333/0429 305950